Martin Truex Jr. refuses to rule out the possibility of an all-Toyota championship-4 race
Denny Hamlin and a certain extent Martin Truex Jr. are Toyota drivers who are favourites to win the Cup title.
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Denny Hamlin and Martin Truex Jr. (Via IMAGO)
Toyota teams have been sold in the 2023 NASCAR Cup season. Despite being a manufacturer that fields six full-time cars, half of the playoff R-8 drivers are from TRD. Besides rookie Ty Gibbs, every Camry driver made it to the last 16, and Bubba Wallace of 23XI is the only one to be eliminated from the chase. He failed to finish above the cut-line in the final R-12 race last Sunday at Roval.
Denny Hamlin, who has been one of the most consistent drivers of the season; Martin Truex Jr., the regular season champion; Christopher Bell and Tyler Reddick are the TRD drivers chasing the title. There is a possibility that all four of these drivers race against each other in the finale for the title. The 2017 Cup champion Truex Jr. has admitted that it isn’t an impossible task.
He made the claim when asked about the prospect of seeing four Toyota Camry in the championship finale at Phoenix in November by Frontstretch, “I mean, it’ll be difficult for sure. I wouldn’t say impossible. You know, four great teams, you know, great drivers with competition stiff, so just focus on getting ours in there.”
It will be a big task for the Toyota Garage to make it to the final four as they have to outrace the Hendrick Motorsport duo of Kyle Larson and William Byron, who are in flying form. Ford drivers Ryan Blaney and Chris Buescher shouldn’t be overlooked as well, as both are drivers capable of pulling off a massive upset.
In case you missed it: Chris Buescher proclaims his chances of making it into the Championship-4 ‘can’t be ignored anymore’
Christopher Bell breaks the major barrier ahead in achieving this milestone
The No:20 JGR driver, Bell, was the only driver to make it to the final four last season, and he is expected to make it this season as well, but this time with his teammates. He has the best opportunity to book his place by winning the race on Sunday, as he is set to start on the pole.
While talking about the possibility of an all-four Toyota final four, he highlighted the Willaim Byron factor that could stop it from happening. His massive point lead can only be matched by Denny Hamlin. Martin Truex Jr has some point advantage as well. Bell and Reddick have to secure wins to make it out.
“I don’t think it really matters with the style of racing we’ve got coming up at Vegas, Miami, and Martinsville. But William (Bryon) – I think Denny (Hamlin) and Martin (Truex) have good points – but William has a lot of points. It is going to be tough to get all four of them in the final four, but hopefully, we can do our best and get as many as we can in,” Bell said.
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Justin P Joy
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